Posts with the #FightingTheZionists hashtag is trending among Iranians, with social media users sharing just how much they love fighting Israel.
Interestingly, the vast majority of that content neither makes fun nor in any way humiliates Israelis or their leader, Benjamin Netanyahu.
People mostly share photos with a “We Love Fighting Israel” sign in Persian.
Internet activists even created an Instagram account that aggregates the campaign-related posts from other insta-users. It was originally an open account, with thousands subscribing in a matter of days, but the privacy settings have now changed and the page is currently available only for approved followers.
The initial idea of the We Love Fighting Israel campaign comes from Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
During his recent speech at an inter-creedal conference in city of Qum, Iran, Khamenei praised his country’s support of Palestine saying: “Our people love fighting against the Zionists and the Islamic Republic has proved this as well. By Allah's favor and grace, we have passed through the barrier of denominational discord”.
The country’s supreme leader also took part in the viral activity and posted a #FightingTheZionists photo compilation on his official Instagram.
The latest social media bashing is similar to the one launched by Israel a year ago.
The Real Face of Iran twitter campaign was held days before an international meeting on country’s nuclear program in November 2013.
Back then Prime Minister Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials posted photos with #StopTheCharmOffensive hashtag and called to “retweet and keep the pressure on”.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 4, 2013
The current hashtag wrestle comes at a critical time for both countries.
Iran is facing a new round of P5+1 talks on its nuclear program. The meeting is set to take place on December 17, amid repeated calls from Israel to increase pressure on Tehran and force it to give up on its nuclear ambitions.
On the other hand, Israel itself is under growing international scrutiny over Palestine, UN calls to come clean over Israeli nuclear facilities and local political tensions after Netanyahu dissolved the parliament.
Tehran and Jerusalem seem almost destined to be at each other’s throats. Still, its probably better for all parties involved that this spat stays online.
